The candidates cited taxes, education and jobs among the issues.

Steve Snell, a retired executive of the Realtors Association of York & Adams Counties, is challenging incumbent state Rep. Stan Saylor for the 94th state House seat in the Nov. 6 election.

Snell is a Democrat. Saylor is a Republican.

The candidates gave different answers to three questions they were asked. The issues include taxes, education and jobs.

The 94th state House seat covers the boroughs of Delta, East Prospect, Felton, Red Lion, Stewartstown, Windsor, Winterstown, and Yorkana and the townships of Chanceford, Lower Chanceford, Lower Windsor, Peach Bottom, parts of Springettsbury, and Windsor.

Here is what the candidates have to say:

What are the top issues in your district?

Saylor: The top issue right now is the recovery from the storm that hit Chanceford Township. Next to that is the opioid epidemic that has affected so many families. We have to continue to provide funds for more treatment facilities that can do 90-day in-house treatment with mentoring after that.

Snell: High property taxes that make too many people, including many seniors, struggle to stay out of poverty. There are alternatives to such heavy reliance on property taxes to fund our schools. Many residents barely manage to stay out of poverty, some don't succeed, more than we want to admit. Despite the overwhelming Republican control of both chambers of our General Assembly, no real progress has been made to alleviate this unfair tax burden. Pennsylvania has failed to do its fair share of paying for education, forcing school boards to fill the gap by raising property taxes.

Of all the issues facing Pennsylvania, such as education funding, the opioid crisis, poverty and women's healthcare, what is the No. 1 statewide issue, and what would you do about it?

Saylor: Jobs, jobs, jobs! We need to do better at keeping companies here in Pennsylvania and expanding here as well. We have to attract new companies to move here. Which means our school have to be focused on providing the skills to every student that they may succeed upon graduation. Our colleges and universities must provide degrees in jobs that are really existing in today’s world. Our community colleges and trade schools need more funding to expand their programs to accept more students and keep their technology up to date. That is why I put more funding for them in this budget.

We now have the highest business taxes in the country. We must reduce them to be in line with the other states or we will continue to lose jobs to other states and our children and grandchildren too! Regulations must be reduced as well. In most if not all states, you can get a permit to build a house or manufacturing plant in 6 months or less. In Pennsylvania, you are lucky to get one in 2 years! If our children are working in other states who is going to pay for all the services for seniors and those in most need of services such as children with autism and those that are intellectually disabled. We can do better and we must do better. It was my legislation that eliminated the Stock and Franchise Tax.

Snell: I believe the number one issue is actually the loss of faith in our democratic system. People are frustrated because they don't feel heard. They feel powerless. That is a genuine threat, a growing threat, to our state and nation. Addressing that is a prerequisite to solving many of our other challenges. Of course, strong education funding is essential, adequate healthcare is extremely important, addressing the opioid crisis is desperately needed, but nothing is more basic than restoring faith in our government.

Saylor: Now as the Appropriations Committee chairman, I am able to focus on issues important to York County. Focusing on reducing the state's debt and direct funds to needed programs here in York County whether it is to a sewer grant to Delta, a grant to REACH (Red Lion Community Services) to help individuals in need, a grant of $1 million for the new addition to the Red Lion Library and more for other libraries or a grant to the Salvation Army in their program, Pathways to Hope, and many other important programs here in York County. I want more accountability and results for the taxpayers money. We can do more without raising taxes.

Snell: I believe I am the best candidate because I'm not looking to be a career politician. My opponent has been in office for 13 terms and worked for York County government before that. I've already had a career so my goal is to help address the problems facing our Commonwealth, not getting re-elected over and over. That gives me the ability and freedom to reach across the political aisle and reduce the partisan gridlock that currently prevails.

Candidate biographies

Name: Stan Saylor

Age: 63

Occupation: State representative — Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Committee on Committee, Member of the Rules Committee

Education: Graduated from Dallastown High School, attended Indiana University of PA and took classes at University of Pennsylvania & Harvard University